Brush attachment for hand-held blow dryers

ABSTRACT

An attachment to be releasably affixed to the barrel of a pistol-grip blow dryer comprising a stretchable tubular element supporting a plurality of bristles or fingers in a brush like arrangement.

[0001] This invention relates to equipment from a hair stylist, and more particularly, to a hair guide that may be detachably mounted on the barrel or muzzle of a hand-held blow dryer.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Many professional salon hair stylists, when styling longer hair, i.e., six (6) inches or more in length, often use the barrel or nozzle of their blow dryer then in use to hold a separated portion or tress of hair for the next combing or brushing stroke. Because the blow dryer barrels are usually round and smooth, such a technique may be awkward or difficult at best, even after long experience of using it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides a bristled brush or comb-like attachment that may be fitted on the barrel or nozzle of almost any hand-held blow dryer now in use or on the market. The base comprises a rectangular sheet or strip of flexible neoprene or plastic or rubber-like material. A plurality of “fingers” or bristles, are supported on the strap which has its side edges connected to a stretchable material to form a flexible tubular shape of a size to be releasably mounted on the barrel of a pistol grip type hair dryer.

[0004] It has been the custom of many hair stylists to use a hair dryer/blower, together with a comb and coarse bristle brush, or with a pair of brushes for this operation. Such techniques require that the stylist use a brush in each hand or a brush and comb to select and position a hair portion for drying and then lay one implement down to pick up the dryer/blower to direct the hot air against the hair bundle to dry and fluff it while held in position by the other implement. The implement in one hand must be changed at least once for each grouping and drying operation.

[0005] The present invention being attached to a blow dryer allows the stylist to select and position the hair portion or tress and dry it without the necessity of changing implements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0006] The above objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, maybe more fully understood from the following detailed description when read with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the brush attachment of the present invention when positioned on the barrel of a hair dryer/blower for operational use;

[0008]FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the brush attachment of the present invention; and

[0009]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the brush attachment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] With reference now to the drawing wherein the reference numerals designate the same elements throughout FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown the blow/dryer brush attachment 10 of the present invention.

[0011] The attachment comprises a generally rectangular base sheet or patch 11 of a flexible, preferably somewhat elastic material, such as neoprene, plastic or other rubber-like material of suitable strength and thickness to support a plurality of relatively stiff tapered plastic fingers or bristles 12 arranged in a brush-like array. The number of bristles and their arrangement is not critical and may follow an individual user's taste. Preferably, the bristles 12 are arranged from three (3) to about five (5) rows (shown), and may number from about four (4) to about seven (7) per row (shown) or more.

[0012] Bristles 12 may be anchored in the base sheet 11 by nail-like heads 13 (see FIG. 2) or by other suitable means well known in the art. The bristles 12 may be tipped at their outer ends with a rounded termination or head 14, so that discomfort or scratches from sharp or rough tips are avoided.

[0013] One or more generally rectangular strips or panels 15 of elastic or elastic-like material are connected between the side edges of the sheet 11 in seams 16 to form a tubular structure as shown. This attachment may be made by sewing, gluing, or other suitable means that will stand up to any heat emitted through the barrel of the blow dryer on which the attachment is mounted.

[0014] For use in hair drying/styling, the attachment of the present invention is mounted on the barrel of a pistol grip blow dryer 17 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0015] The stylist may hold the blow dryer 17 with the mounted attachment 10 in one hand and a styling brush of choice in the other hand. Using either brush or attachment, a hair grouping or tress of appropriate size is separated from the general mass of hair being treated with a series of combing and support motions, using the brush and attachment 10 alternately until judged in the proper position to receive a drying stream of air. The hair bundle is then held in that position with the brush, while the dryer is maneuvered to direct a drying stream of air to the bundle. The procedure is repeated as often as desired without the necessity of the operator putting down one implement and taking up another for the drying of each bundle or tress of hair.

[0016] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention may inspire, among others, many variations, changes and modifications still within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and is therefore to be limited only as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An attachment adapted to be releasably affixed to the barrel of a blow dryer for hair comprising a flexible essentially rectangular sheet of rubber-like material, and an essentially rectangular panel of elastic material, said sheet and said panel being joined along their longitudinal edges to form a tubular structure and a plurality of bristle-like elements affixed to said sheet and extending outwardly therefrom in a brush-like arrangement, said tubular structure being of such being size and diameter do to the fitted around the barrel of said blow dryer and retained therearound by tension of the stretched elastic panel.
 2. The attachment is defined in claim 1, wherein said sheer is of a material selected from plastic, synthetic rubber, and natural rubber.
 3. The attachment of claim 2 wherein said sheet is of plastic.
 4. The attachment of claim 2 wherein said sheet is of rubber.
 5. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said panel is of elastic cloth.
 6. The attachment of claim 2 wherein said panel is of elastic cloth.
 7. The attachment of claim 3 wherein said panel is of elastic cloth.
 8. An attachment adapted to be releaseably affixed on the barrel of a “pistol grip blow dryer for hair comprising an essentially rectangular sheet of rubber like material and an essentially rectangular panel of elastic cloth material, said sheet and said panel being joined along their opposite longitudinal edges to form a tubular structure, and a plurality of bristle like plastic elements affixed on said sheet, and extending outwardly therefrom in a hairbrush like arrangement, said tubular structure being of such size and diameter as to be fitted around the barrel of said pistol style blow dryer and retained there around by tension of the stretched elastic panel, all of said sheet and said panel and said bristles being of materials that remain undamaged by heat emitted from said barrel of said blow dryer. 